Latest KFF Health News Stories
What the Insurance Industry Got Right
Buried inside the insurers’ new piece of propaganda were two perfectly valid arguments–arguments that advocates of reform would be foolish to ignore.
Lawmakers to Fight for Rural Hospitals Despite Budget Concerns On Reform
The finances of Hillsboro Medical Center in North Dakota improved after it got a “critical access” designation. Sens. Conrad, D-N.D., Wyden, D-Ore., Pryor, D-Ark., and Brownback, R-Kan., want to make it easier for other rural hospitals to get the designation as part of health reform.
Health Care Overhaul Rests On Senator Harry Reid
Majority Leader Harry Reid has been the Democrats’ top man in the Senate for nearly five years. But his leadership skills are soon to be tested as he presides over merging the two very different health care overhaul bills. The task has prompted remarks like, “Is he Harry Reid or Harry Houdini?”
Insurance Industry Makes Its Case For A Public Option
After months of publicly supporting health care reform, America’s Health Insurance Plans
Generic Drug Makers Say ‘No’ To Health Reform Tab
Makers of generic drugs say it’s unfair to make them pay $460 million to help fund health care overhaul legislation. They warn consumer prices could rise if Congress approves the 10 years of increased Medicaid discounts included in the bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday.
What Will Make It Into The Final Senate Health Bill?
As Senate Democrats begin to merge the chamber’s two health care overhaul bills, fundamental questions remain – such as whether to include a public option and individual mandate. This story comes from our partner NPR News.
Proposed Tax Rattles Orthopedic Device Industry
People are worried in towns like Warsaw, Ind., considered the “orthopedic device manufacturing capital” of the world. The industry is fighting the $4 billion-a-year tax included in the Senate Finance Committee bill to help pay for health reform.
Finance Committee Approves Health Reform Bill, Snowe Sides With Democrats
With the support of a lone Republican, Olympia Snowe, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would assure that most Americans would have access to health insurance, end discriminatory insurance industry practices and impose a tax on high-costhealth care plans. The bill will now be combined with the HELP Committee’s bill before a full Senate vote.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss the Senate Finance Committee’s approval of an $829 billion health care overhaul package.
In Historic Vote, Baucus Health Bill Passed By Finance Committee
Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, joined the Finance Committee’s Democrats in a vote today on the proposed health care overhaul. The committee reported the bill out of committee in a historic, 14-9 vote.
Health Reform Proposals Enhance Children’s Dental Care
All of the Democratic health proposals would expand children’s dental care – a serious need. Currently about twice as many children are without dental coverage as those without medical coverage. At the same time, some insurance experts worry that the legislation may have unintended consequences, disrupting adult coverage.
Transcript: Health On The Hill For October 12
Read a transcript of today’s Health On The Hill with Jackie Judd, from the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Mary Agnes Carey, from Kaiser Health News.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and other experts discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Senate Finance Committee To Vote Next Week, Baucus Praises CBO Cost Estimate
Senate Finance Committee health care legislation would cost $829 billion over the next decade according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released Wednesday.
Baucus Plan Is Harmful To Low-Income Workers
Broadening health coverage is a worthy goal, but the Senate Finance Committee proposal comes at a high price
Domestic Abuse Victims Struggle with Another Blow: Difficulty Getting Health Insurance
While many states bar carriers from rejecting people who receive treatment for domestic violence, others permit it. Now there’s a move to prohibit the practice as part of a health care overhaul.
Buying Insurance On The Individual Market
Freelance writer Cindy Richards buys insurance on the ‘individual market’ – from a broker – to cover herself and her son and daughter. Her husband had to buy a policy separately. Between them, they pay $500 a month in premium costs and have a yearly deductible of over $10,000. She believes it’s “too difficult” to get health insurance in America.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how a health overhaul would affect the individual insurance market.
Health Care Bills Would Expand Medicaid Eligibility
Both the House and Senate health care proposals would expand Medicaid eligibility to about 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Although the measures would help the states cover the costs, governors are worried that the additional federal money simply won’t be enough. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey offers her insight.
On Their Own, Self-Employed Search For Health Care
Cindy Richards and her husband Scott Fisher at their home in Oak Park, Ill. Richards is a freelance writer and editor who buys health insurance to cover herself and her family.
